With many of the overpaid and under-performing prima donnas of last season’s team long gone, Newcastle United have looked a team made for the Championship.

I say that in no-way belittling the current squad.

What I mean is that from the onset of the season Newcastle looked up for the battle. And that is the one thing you need in the Championship.

Once they had matched the physicality of the opposition their undeniable quality would be given the chance to shine through.

With the spine of the team ready to get down and dirty, the flair players were given the opportunity to shine.

From back to front – Harper, Taylor, Nolan, Smith and Carroll are all up for the fight (I accept that’s maybe not the wisest choice of words, but bear with me!) and the likes of Gutierrez, Lovenkrands and Routledge are there to provide the flair.

And in Jose Enrique I believe they have the best player in the league.

There are not many full backs you can say are a joy to watch, certainly not in the Championship, where hoof it in the channel is the only technical requirement.

But, he is another of those players who make the game look so simple. Cool, calm and collected. Never rushed. Never fazed. Just a great footballer.

In addition to the playing staff, you obviously have the understated role of Chris Hughton as manager.

For a man who did not even want the job at the start of the season, we have seen Hughton grow into the position and guide the side seemingly effortlessly into the Premier League.

And if anyone deserves to be supporting a Premier League team it is the Newcastle fans. Loud, proud and passionate.

Let’s hope for their sake that a decent investment is made in the playing squad, but ultimately that the fight and desire isn’t taken from the current Newcastle United team.

The fight and desire that has been shown this season will keep them in the Premier League.

I am sure of that.

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